Are intercalated degrees better?

Editor - In response to the recent letters about intercalated degrees I believe that students generally miss the point when it comes to these degrees. ^{1 2} Medicine requires us to learn the basics of clinical science in a huge array of subject areas, whereas an intercalated research year offers us the chance to explore a small area of medical or clinical science in much greater detail. Obviously, this will not attract everyone, but then everyone is different. Surely, choosing to study for a 12 month intercalated degree should be about actually wanting to learn research science, not simply about trying to enhance your career (before it has even begun). Let's not get obsessed with our careers just yet, there are better things in life. Honest.

Paul Morris, intercalating BMedSci medical student, University of Sheffield
Email: MDA98PDM@sheffield.ac.uk


studentBMJ 2001;09:443-486 December ISSN 0966-6494

1. Patel N. Are intercalated degrees better? studentBMJ 2001;9:393. (October.)
2. Iqbal K. Are intercalated degrees better? studentBMJ 2001;9: 436. (November.)